Dear Colleagues,

Last month, I spoke at the Gluck Research Foundation Board meeting, highlighting how our university continues to educate more students, generate new ideas through research, better serve our communities and extend compassionate care to all throughout our Commonwealth.

Central to that mission are the faculty who lead our classrooms and laboratories, the people embedded in the communities we serve and the ones who our patients trust with their health.

During that meeting, I shared how we are growing our impact as a university: 

• Our six-year graduation rates are at record highs, reaching 73.4%, according to preliminary numbers. Five-year graduation rates are at nearly 63%, approximately 30 percentage points higher than they were a decade and a half ago.
• Fiscal Year 2025 research expenditures totaled $542.3 million, which in turn helped create $1.02 billion in economic impact and 5,146 jobs for Kentucky.
• And UK HealthCare saw 73,500 discharges across the enterprise in Fiscal Year 2026.

These numbers and statistics are impressive but are each part of a larger story — one that is told every day by the work you do.

I was also impressed by the presentations on research that is helping the equine industry, and I was equally impressed by the engagement and support of the Foundation Board members.

You are all supporting and preparing students for the challenges and opportunities they will face after they close this chapter and start new ones outside of UK. The skills learned in your classrooms and the confidence they hone under your mentorship will enable them to not only succeed in future careers, but to thrive as leaders in their communities. 

The work you do for and in Kentucky helps individuals, families and local businesses thrive. You find answers to the questions that Kentuckians ask, helping discover new ways for our people and places to grow.

And you work tirelessly to ensure Kentuckians receive the healthcare they need, closer to home, creating healthier and more vibrant communities around the Commonwealth.

I am always humbled when I have the privilege to share the work that UK faculty do — and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities to join each of you in this shared mission to teach, guide and heal Kentucky.

Thank you for continuing to be Kentucky’s greatest supporters.

Robert DiPaola 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you that we will begin the search process for a permanent dean to lead the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering and its community as they continue expanding their impact on the lives of Kentuckians and people across the world. 

The Pigman College of Engineering has a long heritage of engineering education that stretches back over a century, reflecting the university’s commitment to science, technology and innovation. The college is committed to providing academic excellence, conducting pioneering research and leading change to solve unique challenges and ultimately improving the lives of those in the Commonwealth and beyond.

The search process will begin soon, and the first step is to form a search advisory committee, comprising faculty, staff, students and alumni, that will recommend qualified candidates for my consideration.   

To nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the search advisory committee, please click here. All recommendations are confidential. Nominations are due by noon on Thursday, October 22.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact Shavonna Ross, director of operations (shav.ross@uky.edu).

Thank you in advance for your valuable input. We appreciate all that you do to advance Kentucky.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you that we will begin the search process for a permanent dean to lead the College of Design and its community as they continue being a leading force in the design disciplines, dedicated to building a collegial environment committed to excellence. Ned Crankshaw has served as dean since July 2024, and he will be retiring after his term concludes. We thank him for his service in this key leadership role for the University of Kentucky and for his unwavering dedication to our students and the college.

The College of Design is a vibrant academic community and a dynamic hub for regional, national and global conversations surrounding design’s impact on our lives. Shaped by the distinctive character of the region, the breadth of their disciplines and the varied backgrounds of their students, faculty and staff, they are supported by the resources and infrastructure of a leading Research 1, land-grant university.

The search process will begin soon with the goal of the college’s next dean joining us by July 1, 2027. The first step in the search process is to form a search advisory committee, comprising faculty, staff, students and alumni, that will recommend qualified candidates for my consideration.  

To nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the search advisory committee, please click here. All recommendations are confidential. Nominations are due by noon on Tuesday, October 20.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact Shavonna Ross, director of operations (shav.ross@uky.edu).

Thank you in advance for your valuable input. We appreciate all that you do to advance Kentucky.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

During Homecoming week at UK, I am reminded just how powerful and connected our campus community is. 

Every day, our students make memories that they will carry for a lifetime — lessons learned in classrooms and laboratories; successes experienced in clubs and sporting events; friendships forged in shared and meaningful moments. 

It can be difficult to realize exactly when a college campus begins to feel like home. It could be finishing your first semester as a student who has passed all of their finals. It might be when roommates decide to join a club together so that they each have a familiar face in the crowd. But it is almost always realized once you leave this community and reflect on and carry forward all you learned during your time on campus.

I recognize how much Homecoming means to you as our faculty — just as much as it means to our students. 

Many of you are parents of students making those memories. And many of you are yourselves alumni of UK. You remember well those shared experiences of growing on this campus.

For those who are not alumni, I hope that UK has begun to feel like another home to you. It may have been when your colleagues became your friends you could rely upon, or when you felt supported by your team and department for the first time.

The memories that our students make, and the impact that this place has on their lives, are all made possible by what you do. You help create their sense of belonging on this campus. And I hope that our community has been a part of making lasting memories for you, too.

This weekend, I encourage you to take part in Homecoming events and join the rest of the Wildcat Family in celebrating what makes our community connected, strong and vibrant.

I am proud to call the UK community my home, and I have each of you to thank for creating a campus environment where all our students, faculty and staff can do the same.

Robert DiPaola 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

As faculty teaching in classrooms and leading in your laboratories and research spaces, you have a unique position guiding our students to be able to achieve their goals. 

Last academic year, 11,228 degrees and certificates were earned by our students, as a direct result of your efforts to educate and prepare them for future careers. This represents a 14.8% increase from the previous academic year.

Our six-year graduation rate has reached 73.4%, placing us among only 92 public, four-year institutions with a six-year graduation rate of at least 73.4%.

These are historic achievements, and we are continuing to make tremendous progress in serving our students as educators and mentors. But none of these milestones would be attainable without what you do — both inside and outside the classroom.

To support you in this vital work you perform, I encourage you to explore the wide array of resources and services that UK provides for our faculty and instructors to develop as professionals while simultaneously taking care of your own well-being. 

• Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) — Provides resources and hands-on learning opportunities for faculty and instructors to acquire new skills as well as more deeply nurture their craft in the classroom and beyond.
• Office for Faculty Advancement — Supports faculty through all stages of their careers, whether new faculty learning the promotion and tenure process or experienced faculty seeking new avenues to deepen their research efforts through collaboration and partnership.
• UK Human Resources Work-life and Well-being — Aids UK employees in caring for their own well-being to support healthy and well-balanced lives. Take advantage of personalized, one-on-one support or other resources to ensure you can bring your best each day. 

I also encourage each of you to help provide the support and resources to our students to help them succeed and achieve their goals. The Office for Student Success provides services like academic tutoring, involvement advising and integrated success coaching to ensure they can become healthy, well-rounded and successful individuals. Find ways to connect your students to resources here: https://studentsuccess.uky.edu/get-help.

In order for us to continue serving our Commonwealth, we must make sure that we are caring for each other, as well. Thank you for creating this community of caring at UK.

Robert DiPaola

Provost

Dear Colleagues,

Throughout my work, I am reminded that research is one of the most powerful ways we fulfill our mission to advance Kentucky. Every day, faculty across the University of Kentucky are generating new knowledge, tackling complex challenges and creating solutions that improve lives throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.

In Spring 2026, we recognized our newly named 2026-27 University Research Professors, who each demonstrate excellence in their fields, spanning the full spectrum of research at UK.

Their achievements reflect the excellence, creativity and impact that define UK's research enterprise and demonstrate how faculty scholarship advances our institution and society.

Their work also highlights an important fact — transformative research happens across every college and discipline. From improving health outcomes and supporting Kentucky's agricultural economy to advancing mathematical innovations, informing public policy and expanding access to oral histories, our faculty are making a difference in countless ways.

And it is not only our University Research Professors who are driving forward innovation at UK. The power of transdisciplinary research — research that crosses disciplines and expertise, the kind of research you conduct every day — cannot be overstated.

This year has been a remarkable one for UK researchers. In fiscal year (FY) 2026, UK surpassed $500 million in research awards for the first time, reflecting the growing momentum and impact of the work being done across campus. Your research is taking us from communities and spaces in our city to beyond the farthest reaches of our atmosphere and into outer space, highlighting the reach we have as a research university. 

As we look ahead to this new academic year, I am excited about the opportunities before us. Through collaboration and a shared commitment to discovery, we will continue to strengthen our position as a university whose research is centered on our mission of advancing Kentucky and ensuring our communities are healthier, wealthier and wiser tomorrow than they are today.

To our University Research Professors and all faculty engaged in research, scholarship and creative activity, thank you for the extraordinary work you do for our communities and our Commonwealth.

Robert DiPaola 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I hope that the summer has brought you some moments of rejuvenation and rest — campus has undergone a dramatic shift in energy now that students have returned and the fall semester has begun in earnest.

I want to welcome each of you, whether you are returning to campus or new to UK, to a semester filled with opportunities to stimulate students’ curiosity, generate breakthroughs in your research or extend healing to our patients most in need of care.

That is the mission of a university that was created to serve its state — to advance our Commonwealth in all we do, through teaching, research, service and care. And that is the work that you perform each day.

Last academic year, we reached milestones that helped mark the progress we are making in our mission:

• We awarded more than 8,000 degrees and 1,700 certificates.
• In Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), UK research and development generated $1.02 billion in economic activity across Kentucky.
• In FY25, UK HealthCare also exceeded 72,500 discharges, an increase from just over 20,000 annually 20 years ago. 

These milestones are made possible because of what you do for our students and our communities: passing along knowledge outlined in your lesson plans; discovering new questions and paths of inquiry on the way to innovative breakthroughs in your research; and extending kindness alongside care to patients most in need.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with this year’s cohort of WELD, a faculty and staff leadership development program, and I encouraged them to embrace leading as learners and rely on colleagues and team members for their specific skills. We discussed transdisciplinary approaches to bring together and respect the great expertise each of you have in your disciplines. 

That is why we have such a marked impact on Kentucky and those we serve. By working together and combining our respective knowledge and capability, we are able to do more than we could ever accomplish alone.

This academic year, I hope you find new and exciting opportunities in partnering with other faculty, students and staff to begin building new paths to innovation, discovery, service and healing for Kentucky.

Welcome back and thank you for being part of our UK community.

Robert DiPaola 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. James Buss has accepted the offer to serve as our next dean of the Lewis Honors College, effective July 1.

Dr. Buss is an outstanding honors educator, leader and scholar — he founded the Honors College at Northern Kentucky University and the Clarke Honors College at Salisbury University, helping build upon rich traditions of honors education at both institutions.

As dean of the Honors College at Ball State University, a role he has held since 2023, Dr. Buss helps elevate honors education as a practice and transformative experience for students. He has helped grow the Honors College to new heights, welcoming more than 600 first-time students in Fall 2025, a first in the college’s history.

Dr. Buss is also a prolific scholar, publishing books, book chapters, peer-reviewed articles and papers in both his field of history and honors education. He is an engaged representative of honors education both at his institution and across the nation.

The Lewis Honors College plays a pivotal role in providing a well-rounded and rigorous liberal arts education for its students to prepare them to be leaders, scholars and creators of the future. As we continue to serve more students across Kentucky, the Lewis Honors College will continue to grow its community of motivated and talented students, faculty and staff. I am confident Dr. Buss will not only contribute to its growth, but he will help the community thrive in the process. 

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Buss to the UK community. And I would also like to thank Dr. Laura Bryan for serving as interim dean and helping guide the Lewis Honors College with such dedication to its mission of serving its students. 

Thank you for all you continue to do to help UK advance our Commonwealth. 

Robert DiPaola 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to inform you that Dr. Michael Renfro has agreed to serve as interim dean of the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, effective June 1.

Dr. Renfro joined UK in 2015 as a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and served as chair of the department until 2023. He currently serves as the associate dean for faculty affairs and facilities in the Pigman College of Engineering, helping lead tenure and promotion processes and faculty development. 

As chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Dr. Renfro led the development of new curriculum and degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in aerospace engineering. He helped the department grow enrollment of undergraduate students by 18% and graduate students by 20%, and he grew the number of department faculty and staff by more than 20% each.

Dr. Renfro is also an active researcher and student mentor. He has received more than $30 million in total funding as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator, and his current research focuses on optical diagnostics applied to power production and high temperature systems. 

He has also advised multiple doctoral and master’s students and more than 40 undergraduate student projects. He teaches courses in thermodynamics and fluid dynamics at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. 

Dr. Renfro’s experience will be invaluable as the college and its positive impact on our state and region continue to grow, helping prepare more students to be the future engineering leaders of Kentucky and beyond. Please join me in thanking Dr. Renfro as he steps into this critical leadership role for our Pigman College of Engineering community and our university.

Thank you for continuing to advance Kentucky in all that you do.

Robert DiPaola 
Provost 

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to inform you that Dr. Chris Clifford has agreed to serve as interim dean of the Gatton College of Business and Economics, effective July 1.

Dr. Clifford currently serves as department chair and DuPont Endowed Chair in Banking and Financial Services in the John Maze Stewart Department of Finance and Quantitative Methods. Under his leadership, the department doubled enrollment, expanded faculty excellence in research and teaching and launched new programs, including Wall Street Scholars.

He began at UK as an assistant professor of finance in 2008 and was a Clark Materials Endowed Fellow in 2015. He became associate professor and Phillip Morris Endowed Professor in 2016.

Dr. Clifford is a dedicated scholar and educator within the college, and his research interests focus on non-banking intermediaries such as financial advisors, mutual funds and hedge funds. His work has been published in various journals, including the “Journal of Finance” and the “Journal of Financial Economics.” In 2024, he was awarded the Gatton Research Productivity Award for his outstanding contributions to the field’s body of knowledge.

Prior to working in academia, Dr. Clifford worked as an analyst in the hedge fund industry, helping bring real-world experience to students in finance, fund management and investments.

Dr. Clifford’s experience in the finance industry and the classroom and his expansive research portfolio, coupled with his leadership of his department, will enable him to continue working with the faculty, staff and students to build an engaging and supportive community within the Gatton College of Business and Economics. I am confident that our Gatton College of Business and Economics students will continue thriving through hands-on, experiential learning and innovative teaching with his leadership.

Please join me in thanking and congratulating Dr. Clifford as he steps into this role. And thank you for continuing to advance Kentucky in all you do.

Robert DiPaola
Provost